Engine



Feb. 6, 1934. l A` Q BRQWNLEE 1,946,271

ENGINE Filed Aug. l5, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l INI/ENTOR. @Nd/:gew ,Blom/alu.

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Feb. 6, 1934o A. C. BROWNLEE ENGINE Filed Aug. 15, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. lwzgew 6'. BQaw/mu:

Patented Feb. 6, 1934 FFECE ENGINE Andrew C. Brownlee, Dearborn, Mich. Application August 15, 1930. Serial No. 475,454

5 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improveinent in an engine and has for its object the provision of an engine driven by air, steam, or similar fluid so arranged and constructed as to be compact, durable and light.

Another object of the invention is the provision in an engine of this class of a control mechanism whereby the speed of the engine may be automatically controlled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an engine of this class having reciprocating pistons and provided with passages therethrough for exhausting purposes and also provided with suitable control mechanism for opening and closing the passages.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the cylinders in the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3 slightly rotated from the position shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

The invention comprises a base 14 projecting upwardly from which is a standard 15 supporting bearings 15 and 17 in which is journaled a shaft 18 having cranks 19 enclosed in the crank case 20. A fly wheel 221 is xedly mounted on one end of the shaft 13. A pair of cylinders 2l are provided. The construction and mechanism operating in, and in connection with, each of the cylinders is the same so that a description of one will sumce for both. Extending rearwardly of the cylinder 2l is a guide sleeve 22. A connecting rod 23 is connected to one of the cranks 19. A pin 24 serves to connect the opposite end line 8-8 of of the connecting rod 23 to a cross head 25 which reciprccates in the guide grooves 26 formed on the inner surface of the extension 22. This cross head is provided at its forward end with an inwardly projecting flange 27 to which is secured the head 28 extending centrally outwardly from which is the -hub or neck 29 in which is fixedly secured one end of the piston rod 30, the opposite end of which is connected to the piston 31 which is provided on its periphery with the sealing rings 32 and 33. Slidably positioned in a groove 34 formed in the forward face oi the piston 31 is a ring 34 which is adapted to close the axially extending passages 36 formed in the piston 31. The ring 34 is ,provided with spaced openings 35 which may be brought into registration with the passages 36 and thus form an uninterrupted passage through the piston 31 through which exhausting may be effected. Bolts 37 are projected through the ring 34 and through the slots 43 and 39 formed in the piston 31. These bolts also project through the neck 38 which engages in the slot 39 and is formed integral with the collar 40 which is xedly mounted on the sleeve 41 embracing the piston rod 30. A collar 42 is fixedly mounted on the sleeve 41 and provided with the boss 45 in which engages one end of the rod 43, the other end engaging in the boss 44 formed onl the collar 40. A spring 42 is mounted on each of the bolts 37 to prevent the nut 37 which is threaded thereon from rotating.

A boss 46 is formed on the periphery of the cylinder 21 and pivotally mounted on this boss 46 is a lever 47 which embraces the collar 48 through which the rod 43 projects. A roller 49 is rotatably mounted on the lever 47. A link 51 connects tc the upper end of the lever 47 and also to the rod 50 and thence to the link 51 which connects to the lever 47 corresponding to the lever 47. A transverse shaft 52 is journaled in bearings 53 and 54. is a collar 55 projecting outwardly from which is an arm or plate 56 having the cam projection 57 on one face so arranged and constructed that upon a rocking of the shaft,52 in one direction the cam projection 57 will engage the roller 49 and rock the arm 47 so as to rotate the sealing ring 34. At the time that the lever 47 is rocked, the lever 47 will also be rocked. A collar 49 is xedly mounted on the shaft 52 and an arm 58 projects outwardly therefrom and is provided with a cam projection similar to the cam projection 57 except reversed as to position, that is faced oppositely, so that as the arm 58 is rocked in one direction the levers 47 and 47 would be Fixedly mounted on the shaft 52 to closed position. The lug 89 is rocked and when the arm 58 is rocked the opposite direction, the cam projection 57 will serve to rock the levers 47 and 47 in the opposite direction. The arms 56 and 58 are, of course, in alignment with each other. In this manner, the exhaust passages 36 in one of the cylinders are open for exhausting while in the other cylinder the exhaust passages are closed by proper location of the ring 34, the cranks being rocked 180 apart.

Mounted on the forward end of each of the cylinders 2l is a valve housing 60 in which is mounted a rotatable valve 6l having a centrally positioned diametrically extending passage 62 adapted to establish communication of the inlet pipe 64 with the interior of the cylinder 21 through the passage 63. The pipe 64 is intended to deliver steam or compressed air or other suitable operating iiuid to the cylinder for effecting the reciprocation of the piston therein.

A stem 65 extends axially of the valve 61 and projects through the gland 66 and packing 67. A head 68 on the end of the stein 65 engages in a recess 69 formed in the end face of the valve 61 by a press iit. This stem 65 is journaled in the bushing 70 which is mounted in the bearing 71.

An eccentric disc 72 is mounted on tne shaft 18 and embraced by the eccentric strap 73 projecting outwardly from which is the pitman 74 which connects to one end of the link 75 which is xedly mounted on the shaft 52. .A rod 76 is connected at one end to the link 75 and at the opposite end to a lug 77 on the disc 78 which embraces the bearing or neck 71. A lug 79 projects outwardly from the disc or collar 78. Rock-ably mounted on the lug 79 is a yoke having the central portion 8D projecting outwardly from which are the legs 81 and 82. A reinforcing lifting rib 83 mounted on the inner surface of the leg 81 and a leaf spring 84 serves to normally resist rocking movement of the yoke on the lug 79.

A stud 85 is projected through the link 86 through one end of which projects the stem 65 to which it is keyed so that a rocking of the link 86 will effect a rotation of the valve 61. The stud 85 is so located that upon a rocking of the disc 78 upwardly, the stud 85 will engage the rib 88 and thus the link 86 will be rocked to effect a rocking of the valve 61 to open position.. As this yoke moves upwardly, the leg 82 will be engaged by the cam 88 which is mounted on the collar or disc 87 and projecting outwardly from which is the lug 89. As the yoke leg 82 rides onto the cam 89, the yoke will be rocked against the tension of the spring 84 sufficiently to permit disengagement of the stud 85 from the rib 88 thus releasing the link 86 for rocking movement downwardly so as to again close the valve 61. This link 86 is connected by the 152 to the piston 158 which'is slidably engaged in the dash pot 154. This dash pot is used to absorb the recoil and also to facilitate the downward rocking movement of the link 86. The closing of the valve 61 is therefore effected by gravity and also by the partial vacuum which is built up in the dash pot.

The piston in the dash its lower position, after disengagement of the stud 85 from the rib 83, will rock the link 86 downwardly thus effecting a return of the valve connected by the yoke 96 to the rod 91 which connects to the link 92 which is fixedly mounted on the shaft 93. This shaft 93 is journaled in the bearings 94 and 95. At opposite sides of the mechanism the structure is, as previously stated, the same, and the pot, when returning to shaft 93 is connected to a similar rod 91. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 93 and projecting outwardl/- therefrom is a link 96 to which is pivotally connected one end of the link 97, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to one end of the rockable eea-fn 98 which is rockably mounted on the support 99. The opposite end of the link 98 engages the slidable collar 161 of the governor 102 which is xedly mounted upon, so as to rotate with, the shaft 103, the lower end of which extends into the gear box and is meshed with suitable gearing driven by the shaft 104 on which is xedly mounted the pulley 166 passing around which is the belt 107 which is driven by the shaft 18.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows:

One of the intake valves remains open when the other is closed permitting a charge of steam or compressed air to enter and reciprocate the piston. When the piston has reached the end of its stroke, the cam projection 57 on the plate 56 will contact with a roller 49 so as to rock the lever 47 rotating the disc 34 bringing the slot 35 in communication with the passage 36 permitting the charge to exhaust to the atmosphere. As the projection 57 contacts with the roller 49, the cam projection on the opposite disc 58 will disengage from its roller and by link 56 the arm 47 will rock the arm 47 thus closing the exhaust ports in the opposite piston.

At the same time, through the reciprocation of the pistons, the crank will be rotated, thus rotating the eccentric disk 72. The rotation of the eccentric disc 72 reciprocates the pitinan 74 and the rod 76 thus causing an up and down movement of the legs 81 and 82. On its upward movement, the leg 81 will engage and carry the'stud 85, rotating the rod 65 and opening the slot 62 into communication with the intake pipe 64 and the intake port 63. wardly, its cov-operating leg y82 will travel over the cam rise 88 moving the leg 81 outwardly, releasing and permitting the dropping of the lug 85, closing the valve 61.

As the yoke on one side of the device opens one ,A

of the slots 62 into communication with the intake pipe, the yoke 62 at the opposite side will move the valve to close position so that the passage or slot 62 does not communicate with the intake pipe as shown in Fig. alternate with the pair of pistons as they are operating at a relation of 188 to each other relatively to the rotation of the crank shaft.

When the engine has attained a predetermined speed, the governor 102 will move the sliding collar 161, rocking the lever 98 and through the connections 97, 96 and 92 move the rod 91 forwardly thus bringing the cam rise 88 downward into the path of travel of the leg 82 so that the leg 82 will cause a release of the lug 85 from the leg 81 before the valve 61 has completely opened, giving the engine a smaller charge and controlling its speed.

While have'illustrated and described the preferred form cf construction of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details of structure shown, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as may come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I .l

each of cylinders, each of said pistons having This action is As this leg 81 moves up- 'in unison said sleeve adjacent its axially directed passages formed therethrough and provided on one of its faces with a groove connected with said passage; a ring slidably mounted in said groove for closing said passages, said ring having spaced openings formed therein adapted upon movement to one position for registering with said passages; a crank shaft; a rod connected to each of said pistons centrally thereof and projecting axially outwardly from one end of its cylinder; means for connecting said rod to a crank on said crank shaft; a sleeve embracing said rod and movable in unison therewith and rotatably mounted on said rod; a collar xedly mounted on said. sleeve and engaging the nongroove bearing face of said piston, said face having slots formed therein; necks carried by said collar, each engaging in one of said slots; bolts projected through said necks and through said piston and through said ring for effecting rotative movement of said ring upon rotative movement of said sleeve relatively to said rod; a boss projecting outwardly from said collar; ya securing collar xedly mounted on said sleeve adjacent its opposite end; a boss on said second collar registering with the boss on said rst mentioned collar; a rod connecting said bosses; a rockably mounted arm connected at one end to said last mentioned rod; means for rocking said arm upon travel of said piston a predetermined distance in said cylinder for effecting registration of said ring with the passages in said piston; and means for rocking said arm in the opposite direction for effecting rotation of said ring and non-registration of the slots therein with the passages in said piston upon movement of said piston a predetermined distance in the opposite direction.

2. In an engine of the class described, a plurality of cylinders; a piston slidably mounted in each of said cylinders, each of said pistons having axially directed passages formed therethrough and provided on one of its faces with a groove connected with said passage; a ring slidably mounted in said groove for closing said passages, said ring having spaced openings formed therein adapted upon movement to one position for registering with said passages; a crank shaft; a rod connected to each of said pistons centrally thereof and projecting axially outwardly from one end of its cylinder; means for connecting said rod to a crank on said crank shaft; a sleeve embracing said rod and movable therewith and rotatably mounted on 'said rod; a collar xedly mounted on said sleeve and engaging the non-groove bearing face of said piston, said face having slots formed therein; necks carried by said collar, each engaging in one of said slots; bolts projected through said necks and through said piston and through said ring for effecting rotative movement of said ring upon rotative movement of said sleeve relatively to .said rod; a boss projecting outwardly from 'said collar; a securing collar fixedly mounted on opposite end; a boss on ,said second collar registering with the boss on said first mentioned collar; a rod connecting said bosses; a rockably mounted arm connected at one end to said last mentioned rod; means for rocking said arm upon travel of said piston a predetermined distance in said cylinder for effecting registration of said ring with the passages in said piston; and means for rocking said arm in the opposite direction for effecting rotation of said ring and non-registration of the slots therein with the passages in said piston upon movement of said piston a predetermined distance in the opposite direction; means for delivering fluid under pressure to said cylinder; means for controlling delivery of fluid to said cylinder; and means for operating said control means in coordination with the rotation of said ring.

3. In an engine of the class described, a plurality of cylinders; a piston slidably mounted in each of said cylinders, each of said pistons having axially directed passages formed therethrough and provided on one of its faces with a groove connected with said passage; a ring slidably mounted in said groove for closing said passages, said ring having spaced openings formed therein adapted upon movement to one position for registering with said passages; a crank shaft; a rodl connected to each of said pistons centrally thereof and projecting axially outwardly from one end of its cylinder; means for connecting said rod to a crank on said crank shaft; a sleeve embracing said rod and movable in unison therewith and rotatably mounted on said rod; a collar xedly mounted on said sleeve and engaging the nongroove bearing face of said piston, said face having slots formed therein; necks carried by said collar, each engaging in one of said slots; bolts projected through said necks and through said piston and through said ring for effecting rotative movement of said ring upon rotative movement of said sleeve relatively to said rod; a boss projecting outwardly from said collar; a securing collar fixedly mounted on said sleeve adjacent its opposite end; a boss on said second collar registering with the boss on said rst mentioned collar; a rod connecting said bosses; a rockably mounted arm connected at one end to said last mentioned rod; means for rocking said arm upon travel of said piston a predetermined distance in said cylinder for effecting registration of said ring with the passages in said piston; means for rocking said arm in the opposite direction for effecting rotation of said ring and non-registration of the slots therein with the passages in said piston upon movement of said piston a predetermined distance in the opposite direction; means for delivering fiuid under pressure to said cylinder; means for controlling delivery of uid to said cylinder; means for operating said control means in co-ordination with the rotation of said ring; and means for regulating the degree of operation of said control means in co-ordination to the speed of reciprocation of the piston.

4. In a device of the class described, a plurality of cylinders; a piston slidably mounted in each of said cylinders, each of said pistons having axially directed passages formed therethrough and communicating with an annular groove formed on one of the faces of said piston; a slot bearing ring rotatably mounted in said groove for opening and closing the passages through the piston; a crank shaft; a piston rod on said piston extending axially outwardly from the cylinder; means for connecting said piston rod to a crank on the crank shaft; a sleeve embracing said piston rod and rotatable thereon; a pair of spaced collars xedly mounted on said sleeve; projecting boss on each of said collars, said bosses being in alignment; a rod connecting said bosses; means for connecting one of said collars to said ring for effecting a rotation of the same for opening and closing said passages through said piston; n

a rockably mounted arm connected at one end to said boss connecting rod adapted upon rocking for effecting a rotation of said ring to open or closed position; a cam mechanism for rocking said arm; and means for actuating said cam mechanism at a radially outwardly predetermined positions of travel of the piston.

5. In a device of the class described, a plurality of cylinders; a piston slidably mounted in each of said cylinders, each of said pistons having axially directed passages formed therethrough and communicating with an annular groove formed on one of the faces of said piston; a slot bearing ring rotatably mounted in said groove for opening and closing the passages through the piston; a crank shaft; a piston rod on said piston extending axially outwardly from the cylinder; means for connecting said piston rod to a crank on the crank shaft; a sleeve embracing said piston rod and rotatable thereon; a pair of spaced collars fiXedly mounted on said sleeve; a radially outwardly projecting boss on each of said collars,

said bosses being in alignment; a rod connecting said bosses; means for connecting one of said collars to said ring for effecting a rotation 0f the same for opening and closing said passages through said piston; a rockably mounted arm connected at one end to said boss connecting rod adapted upon rocking for effecting a rotation of said ring to open or closed position; a cam mechanism for rocking said arm; means for actuating said cam mechanism at predetermined positions of travel of the piston; means for delivering fluid under pressure to the cylinder; control means for controlling delivery of uid to said cylinder; and means for operating said control means to the actuation of said cam means.

ANDREW C. BROWNLEE. 

